Latest technology The Airlander (above) relies on nonflammable helium, unlike the Hindenburg, which was powered by hydrogen and brought tragedy in 1937 (below)
It’s being billed as sky yachting – a return to a stately form of travel from a bygone era, one that fascinated visionaries as far back as Leonardo da Vinci and Jules Verne, whose time may have come around again.
Just don’t refer to these new floating wonders as airships, says the British company at the forefront of this latest technology. The correct term is Hybrid Air Vehicles – graceful giants whose makers believe offer not only the cleanest way to fly, but also a new era of inter-city travel, and an opportunity to capture the high end of the tourism market.